chapter7

Arthur was walking back through the halls towards his chambers when he stopped at seeing a group of maids gathering around a chamber door and peeking inside. The blond shook his head and walked towards the women.

"What could possibly be so interesting that even Camelots walls have ears?"

The three women gasped and quickly bowed. "Your highness." They mumbled in unison. Arthur could tell they were quite embarrassed. "W-we were just..."

Arthur looked from one to the other until he eyed all three. "Go back to your duty." He ordered. "You shouldn't be listening in on others conversations, it isn't polite."

The women all blushed and when one opened her mouth to speak, she was quickly caught off by a voice. A voice that made Arthur's brows narrowed at confusion, yet made his heart flutter at the same time.

XOXOXOXO

"Daddy can you sing me Lullaby?" Rose asked as she sat on Merlin's lap. He was sitting on a rocking chair near the open balcony in Rose's chambers. After Arthur's little stunt in the west wing, Merlin had to see Rose. When he didn't stop Arthur from kissing him at first it confused him. He felt guilty for doing it, but the guilt was for the wrong reasons. He was scared Cenred would find out. What would the king do? Would he kick Merlin out? Would he kill Arthur? That most definitely would happen and Merlin shouldn't be so worried about that, but he was. He felt if Arthur died a part of himself would die too. And that was what confused him. he felt he betrayed his family, Cenred, Rose and their unborn child.

Merlin a small laugh. "Rose, you know I can't sing as well as Papa can."

"I know. I just want to hear it, so we know he'll still come."

Merlin's eyes teared up and he nodded. "He'll come." He said low.

"Will you?"

Merlin blinked and cleared his throat and brought his hand to Rose's head and lay it between his neck and shoulder. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, promising himself he wouldn't cry. He had to stay strong for Rose, if she saw him break down,, then she would too and Merlin didn't want that. Merlin reopened his eyes and rocked back and forth on the chair.

*Constant as the stars above, always know that you are loved*
*And my love shining in you, will help you make your dreams come true*
*Will help your dreams come true*

XOXOXOXO

Arthur was peeking through the crack in the door and watched as Merlin sang to Rose. It was no surprise that after Arthur left the chambers Merlin was supposed to be locked in, Merlin escaped and snuck in to be with Rose. Merlin had lived in the castle once and he, himself taught Arthur of some of the secret passages.

There was a clear of a throat behind him and Arthur glanced to see the three maids staring with raised brows. The blond blushed deep pink and had to turn back to the door.

XOXOXOXO

*The lamb lies down and rests its head on its mother's downy bed*
*Dolphin play in the moon lights glow*
*And butterfly dreams of violet rose*
*Dreams of a violet rose*

*I'll cradle you in my arms tonight, as sun embraces the moon light*
*The clouds will carry us off tonight*
*Our dreams will run deep like the sea*
*Our dreams will run deep like the sea*

*Constant as the stars above, always know that you are loved*
*And my love shining in you, will help you make your dreams come true*
*Will help your dreams come true*

Merlin stood still for a moment. He couldn't bring himself to move when Rose might be in her own little world, pretending it was Papa instead of Daddy singing. He didn't blame her either, she loved Cenred. So did Merlin. He put himself in Rose's shoes... not literally. He imagined being a tiny child who loved to be with the other person who loved her just as much. The one who spoiled and babied her. Merlin loved Cenred just as much as Rose did. They were a happy family and Merlin didn't want to change that.

Rose looked up at Merlin and smiled with her light pink lips. "I think that baby likes it."

Merlin smiled and nodded in agreement. "When the babies born you can teach him or her the song."

Rose made a face. "Ew. I don't want a brother."

Merlin chuckled. "Only a sister, huh?"

Rose nodded.

"Why no brothers?" Merlin asked.

"They're gross." Rose said as a "duh". "Nina has three brothers and they pick their noses and Josh the little one, eats it."

Merlin laughed. "That is gross. But not all boys do that."

Rose sighed shook her head. "Daddy, why is the king evil?"

Merlin gulped dryly. "Well, I suppose... he doesn't know any better. He was brought up that way, to want things and think he can always get them. That's why he's angry and he's using us to get what he wants, because he's a royal pain in the..." He stopped himself before he taught Rose some angry words she shouldn't know.

Rose nodded in understanding. "But we're royal and we don't always get what we want."

Merlin nodded back. "Sometimes it's a good thing. Because being selfish makes you angry all the time, and that makes people not want to stand by you when you need friends."

Rose nodded again. "Maybe you can change the king like you said you changed Papa." The girl piped up.

Merlin gave a sad smile and shook his head. "I'm afraid it's too late for him. There are too many people against him because of his past and what he's done to the innocent."

Rose raised her eyebrows. "But it's not too late for Prince Arthur." She pointed out.

Merlin's smile slowly faded. That was true. But Arthur was being stubborn at the moment and the only thing he might want to change him, Merlin was not going to give.

"Am I right? Daddy am I right?" Rose tilted her head so she was looking her Merlin in the eye.

Merlin gave a small smile and nodded. "Yeah, you are."

Rose hoped off his leg and went over to a pile of toys on the floor. Merlin frowned suddenly. "Rose? Rose, who gave you those?"

The girl smiled up at Merlin. "The princess."

Merlin blinked, confused for a second before he smiled in realization. "Morgana?"

Rose nodded. "She said they were hers when she was small."

Merlin smiled wider. If there was anyone who would help him to escape it would be Morgana. He stood up from his seat and walked over to Rose. "Come on, it's time for bed." He said as he carried her towards the door.

"Daddy, the beds right there." Rose said pointing back inside the room.

"No, Rose, you're sleeping with me. I don't trust Uther." Merlin slipped out of the chambers and walked towards the west wing. When he reached the west wing, he looked across the hall and smiled then quickly made his way over.

He opened the door without knocking, but quickly wished he did when he saw what was inside. Merlin froze in place and his eyes widen. He quickly brought his hands over Rose's eyes and ears at the same time.

The heavy breathing pair on the bed. Black long hair sticking out from the top and a body moving under the covers on top. Morgana looked towards the door and gasped. "Merlin?"

"I'm sorry. I should have knocked." He said then just as quickly ran out the chambers.

"Daddy? Daddy what were they doing?"

Merlin's mouth open but no words came out.

XOXOXOXO

The head slipped out of under the covers and dark brown eyes stared down at Morgana. Dark wavy locks covered in sweat, still breathing hard. "Who was at the door?"

Morgana gulped, deep trying to catch her own breath and grabbed onto Lancelot's ear length hair and bit her bottom lip. "I'll deal with it tomorrow." She whispered lustful.

The knight moaned and brought out his tongue, licking up from the young woman's belly to her neck.

A/N: I'm thinking about making a Lancelot/Morgana pairing to try it out. For some reason they seem good together to me. But they would be the only straight pairing I ever see. Them two and Prentiss and Hotch from Criminal Minds. Oh yeah, the song is from Barbie as Rapunzel. YES! I'm a 22-year-old going on 23 in November, who watches Barbie movies, deal with it. I still have my dolls from when I was 11. The name is "Constant as The Stars above" it's like a beautiful lullaby. Check it out if you want, if you don't that's fine. As long as you read my story :).

Review Please :)